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Can anyone comment on the differences in short shifters for the STi? I'd love to see this comparison and measurements for stock vs aftermarket on my 6-speed!

I got the Cobb shifter. Being adjustable, you can make it feel and look almost exactly like the stock shifter, you can have stubby knob height with a throw shorter than almost any other shifter, or anywhere in between to have it exactly how you want it. Sorry, I don't have any comparison pics or measurements...

You let me know when you want to sell that STI shifter I have no interest in lowering the lever, but a shorter throw would be nice. I already have a Lathewerks ball which lowered the shift knob position by over an inch. I contacted Lathewerks and they sent me an externally threaded hex nut that goes inside the knob so that I could bring the knob position up about 1/2". The height is perfect now. The Kartboy would be too low. I hate shifters that I have to reach for. I can leave my elbow on the adjustable armrest and literally shift with my wrist.

Although this is my third car in which I installed a short shifter, I'm still surprised by what a huge difference these make. I went with the Kartboy shifter and spent a day driving with it before installing the front and rear bushings. The shifter alone was a drastic improvement over stock in terms of throw and feel, but it was a little hard to get into gear at times. After installing the bushings (and losing a lot of skin off my hands; should have worn some mechanics gloves), the shifts were precise and easy to get into gear. The only issue is sometimes I have to let the parking brake off before trying to get it into reverse.

Overall, best mod I've ever done when considering the improvement over stock. Although the install instructions that I collected from various sources on the web were straight forward, in retrospect I would have been happy to pay my Subaru specialist to do this install (especially the bushings). It just required a lot more time and a lot more skin off my hands than I expected.

I agree that the job was technically pretty easy. I just saw some posts where people replaced the bushings in 30 minutes, whereas my over-analytical self took a couple hours. It was time I wouldn't have minded spending somewhere else. So you're right; maybe working on the car isn't for me.

Yeah, if it's your first time doing it, I could see it taking a couple hours pretty easy. But if you've done it before you could easily do it in 30 minutes plus the time it takes to get the car up in the air and back down.

Also when following the COBB instructions for their bushings, I wasn't expecting to have to remove an O2 sensor and heat shield. They only listed that for the six speed. So I had to go out and borrow a sensor socket from the auto parts store. That was a bit of a surprise.

Also when following the COBB instructions for their bushings, I wasn't expecting to have to remove an O2 sensor and heat shield. They only listed that for the six speed. So I had to go out and borrow a sensor socket from the auto parts store. That was a bit of a surprise.

Are you sure you have to remove them? I don't think you do. It's usually easier to remove the rear tranny brace, but that should be it.

I didn't think about the tranny brace, but I definitely couldn't get to the bushings without removing the heat shield. And it looks identical to the pictures that COBB has for the 6-speed transmission. I just figured some of the STI bits trickled down.

I don't remember off hand. I know that heat shield is there, but I'm not sure if it has to be removed. Even if it does need to be removed, I think you can get it off by unplugging the O2 sensor, and not removing it.

I don't remember off hand. I know that heat shield is there, but I'm not sure if it has to be removed. Even if it does need to be removed, I think you can get it off by unplugging the O2 sensor, and not removing it.

the issue i had besides being on my back was that you can't just remove it w/o breaking off the zip tie that holds it done to the _________..... -whatever it's secured to.

so trying to unscrew the o2 sensor without unplugging it and / or removing the heat shield may or may not be advantageous

i did my SS and bushings w/o removing the o2 sensor. but i did remove the heat shield bolts which allowed me to just move it around while i did the rear bushing.

*going off memory here so bear with me. -and i was on my back with the car on ramps.

CLIFF NOTES: just take the heat shield bolts off so you can move it out of the way. you do NOT need to remove the o2 sensor, but it will make your life easier. I have zip ties so when i did my down pipe, it was no big deal. that harness is way too close to the drive shaft to leave unsecured IMO.

Nice write up! The only difference I can see from the Kartboy vs. the SPT is that the knob on the kartboy will sit lower than the SPT's knob. Well and the material they made out of. If I would have done better research before ordering my car I probably would have went with stock shifter and get the Kartboy shifter.

xluben is my hero. just dont have a different opinion than him. or he will block you on youtube and you cant tell him how FREAKING AWESOME his car is

your car rocks you are my hero!!!! i wish you didnt hate me so much. im sorry i am an individual. did i mention i LOVE your car!!!!!

k bye

Haha. I block anyone who seems to be trying to start trouble on Youtube. I'm not trying to make enemies, but I'm not interested in the BS arguments that somtimes pop up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by luan87us

Nice write up! The only difference I can see from the Kartboy vs. the SPT is that the knob on the kartboy will sit lower than the SPT's knob. Well and the material they made out of. If I would have done better research before ordering my car I probably would have went with stock shifter and get the Kartboy shifter.

Yep, the Kartboy has a similar feel to the SPT but it is a little shorter overall. The metal ball also may provide a slightly more solid feel. I definitely think it is a better option (for more people) than the SPT when you consider the price.